Thief-hole cover



April 8, 1930. 0, c, WATSON 1,753,394

THIEF HOLE COVER Filed May 51, 1928 I 4 I I anemia Patented Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATEN caries ORVILLE C. WATSON, F SKIATOOK, OKLAHOMA THIEF-HOLE covnn Application filed May 31, 1928. Serial No; 281,909. a

tank, instead of on top of the sloping tank roof, as is the common practice.

An important object of the invention is to provide a cover of this type including an adjustable tray 'or shelf closing a portion of the thief opening so that the containers or receptacles used in taking samples may be supported in a horizontal plane to facilitate the thieving operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hinged cover for the opening of the tank, and resilient locking means for locking the cover in its closed position, so that the cover may be readily operated to expose the contents of the tank.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the 7 details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a cover constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device includes a substantially oblong body portion 5 formed with a flange 6 extending laterally from the lower edge thereof, the flange being formed with openings to receive rivets 7 employed in securing the body portion to the tank roof. One side of the body portion is substantially wide so that when the device is secured to the roof of a tank, the upper edge of the body portion will lie in a horizontal plane so that the hinged cover indicated at 8, will also lie in a horizontal plane when in its closed position.

Formed integral with the cover and extending upwardly therefrom is an enlargement 9 formed with a depression in its upper end, to receive the spring pressed plunger 10 cover carried by the bail 11 hingedly connected to the body portion, so that the cover will be held tightly to the upper edge of the body portion when in its closed position.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of the tray or shelf indicated by the reference character 12, which tray or shelf is hingedly connected to the body portion at 13, the opposite edge of the tray or shelf being adjustable and held in its positions of adjustment by means of the arm 14 which is pivotally connected to the shelf at 15.

This armlt is formed with a plurality of openings to accommodate the screw 16 that is positioned ina threaded opening of the body portion, to the end that the shelf may I be adjusted so that it will be supported in a horizontal position to the end that the receptacles used in taking samples, will be supported in horizontal planes.

Asshown, this tray 12 extends partially over the opening, so that a space is provided between one end of the tray and one end of the body portion defining a space to permit devices to be placed into thetank to take a sample. 1

Openings 17 are formed in the tray and permit oil vwhich may be spilled during the sampling operation,:to flow back into the tank.

It will be seen that due to this construction the cover may be readily and easily removed, and the cover will be held in its closed posi tion by the action of the bail l1.

Iclaim:

A sample supporting tray for tanks, in-

eluding a body portion formed of a length of sheet metal perforated to permit liquid to pass therethrough, a hinge connected with the body portion at one edge thereof, means for securing the hinge to the tank, an arm pivotally connected with the body portion at one side thereof, means for adjustably securing the arm to the tank to support the body portion in a horizontal plane.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature.

ORVILLE O. WATSON. 

